Apparatus for vacuum-sealing and mechanically sealing or seaming sheet-metal cans.



No. 782,203. PATBNTBD PEB. 7, 1905.

E. NORTON & J. G. HODGSON. APPARATUS FOR VACUUM SEALING AND MEGHANICALLY SEALING OR SEAMING SHEET METAL GANS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 27, 1901.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ATTORNEY;

No. 782,203. PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905. E. NORTON & J. G. HODGSON.

APPARATUS POR VACUUM SEALING AND MECHANIGALLY SEALING 0R SEAMING SHEET METAL GANS.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov. 2v, 1901.

5 BHEETS-SHEBT 2.

LW@ ATTORNEYS No. 782,203. PATENTED PEB. 7, 1905. E. NORTON 6L J. G. HODGSON. APPARATUS POR VACUUM SEALING AND MEGHANICALLY SEALING 0R SEAMING SHEET METAL CANS.

APPLIUATION FILED Nov. 21, 1901.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Wwjfd fw WITNESSES /N VEN TORS m fmfJ-WL, By Mdfq WNS? ATTORNEYS No. 782,203. PATENTED PEB. '7, 1905. E. NORTON & J. G. HODGSON.

APPARATUS FOR VACUUM SEALING AND MEGHANIGALLY SEALING 0R SEAMING SHEET METAL (JANS.

APPLIoA'rIoN FILED Nov. 27, 1901.

A TTORNE K6 No. 782,203. PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

` E. NORTON & J. G. HODGSON. APPARATUS FOB-f` VACUUM SEALING AND MECHANIGALLY SEALINGA 0R SEAMING SHEET METAL GANS.

APPLIO'ATION FILED NOV. 27, 1901.

- 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

llll' Vs/ UNITED STATES Patented February '7, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDW'IN NORTON, OF NEIV YORK, Y., AND JOHN G. IIODGSON, OF MAY- IVOOD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS TO AUTOMATIC VACUUM CANNING COM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR VACUUM-SEALING AND MECHANICALLY SEALING OR SEAMING SHEET-METAL CANS.

SECIFICATION 'Ormng part of Letters Patent NO- 782,203, dated February '7, 1905.

Application filed November 27, 1901. Seriai No. 83,885.

To fr// mlb/m1 if may crmccrn:

Be it known that we, EDWIN NORTON, residing in the city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, and JOHN 5 ('r. HonesoN, residing in Maywood, in the county of Cook 'and State of Illinois, citizens of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines or Apparatus for Y acuum-Sealing and b/Iechanically Sealing 1o or Seaming- Sheet-Metal Cans, of which the f following is a specification.

Our invention relates to machines or apparatus for sealing' and securing covers to sheetmetal cans or vessels by a combined vacuum i 5 or atmospheric pressure seal and a mechanical seal or seam uniting the seaming-flanges of the can and cover.

Heretofore in hermetically sealing and securing covers on and to sheet-metal cans or 2O vessels by a combined vacuum or atmospheric prersure seal and a mechanical seal or seam formed by mechanically engaging or seaming together suitable flanges on the can and cover the can after being filled is placed in a vacuum 2 5 chamber or receiver and the air exhausted therefrom and from the can and its contents, and then the cover is hermetically sealed and secured thereto by the vacuum or atmospheric pressure seal upon restoring atmospheric pressure to the receiver, after which the vacuumized and hermetically-sealed can is removed from the vacuum chamber or receiver machine and placed in a seaming-machine of any suitable kind---such as a roller seaming-machine, die summing-machine, or other seeming-machine-wand the flanges of the can and cover seamed together by a mechanical seal or seam which cooperates with the vacuum or atmospheric pressure seal in hermetically sealing 40 and securing the cover on and to the body of the can or vessel and in compressing and holding compressed and confining the packing interposed between the can and cover, and heretofore two separate machines, requiring two separate handlings of the cans, have been employed for this purposewiirst, a vacuum chamber or receiver machine for exhausting' the air from the can and its contents and hermetically sealing,- and securingthe cover thereon by the vacuum or atmospheric pressure seal-- such, for example, as that forming the subject l of the E. Norton patent, No. 620,245, of February 2S, ISQJ---ani'b second, a scanning-machine for formingl the mechanical seal or scamvsuch, for example, as that lforming-the subject of the E. Norton patent, No. 610,558,

of September 13, 1898, or the Heinig patent, No. 5426,468, of September 1T, 1895, or other well-known forms of `seaminganachincs.

The object of our invention is to provide a 6o machine of a simple, eilicient, and durable construction by means of which both the mechanical seal or seam and the vacuum or atmospheric pressure seal may be formed in one and the same machine` thus saving one handling' of the cans and the time, expense, and labor incident thereto.

Our invention consists in the means we employ to practically accomplish this result-M that is to say,it consists in the combination with 7o a vacuum chamber or receiver, an exhaust mechanism there foi-,and means for openingand closing` the receiver with means within the receiver for forming the mechanical seal or seam between the scanning-flanges of the can and 7 5 cover. The vacuum chamber or receiver may be of any suitable construction, and the seaming` mechanism within the receiver may likewise also be of any suitable kind or construction, such as have heretofore been in use in 8O the art, one or the other kind being' employed according to the different styles or shapes of cans and covers or the iianges thereof to be operated upon, or according as the mechanical seal or seam to be formed between the 35 seaming-flanges of the can and cover is of the friction or compression type, single-seam or crimp type, double-seam type, or other type familiar to those skilled in the art. The receiver which we prefer to employ, however, is preferably of a bell shape or with an open lower end, and closed by the reciprocating can-holder, plate, disk, door, or cover, upon which the can rests while being,l subjected to the operation of the can-seamingmechanism and by which the can is fed or moved within the receiver. The seaming` die, device, or mechanism employed may be provided with known to us for practising our invention, the

same being a machine specially designed for operating' upon a particular style of can and cover, in which the flanges thereof are adapted to be securely and tightly engaged, locked, and seamed together by forcibly driving the seaming-fianges on the cover into engagement with the seaming-flange on the can by a straight downward movement of the seaming die, device, or mechanism and in which the seaming device or mechanism does not, therefore, re-

quire to be provided with the customary inflange or roll on the upper end of the can-body is tightly embraced and frictionally locked and engaged and firmly compressed by and between a pair of seaming-flanges on the cover, one of which hasa slightly-inclined or wedging lower portion and which form an annular groove or channel slightlysmaller in crosssection than the seaming flange or roll on the can-body, so that when the flange or roll on the can-body is forced by great pressure into the contracted annular channel formed by the parallel seaming-anges on the cover and embraced thereby on both sides and compressed a tight and secure mechanical seal or seam is formed by and between the interengaging seaming-anges of can and cover, which securely holds the cover 'on the can, and compresses and confines andfholds compressed -and confined the packing between the can and cover, and in Fig. l0 we have shown our invention as embodied in a machine for operation upon a crimped or single-seam can, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

In the said drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevations of a machine embodying our invention looking from opposite sides. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation. Fig. 4 is a detailed central vertical section through the receiver. Fig. 6 is a detailed cross-section on line 6 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the valve. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views showing the can before and after its cover is sealed and secured thereto by the combined vacuum-seal and mechanical seal or seam. Fig. 9 shows a crimp'or single-seam can after being operated upon, and Fig. l0 a machine embodying our invention for vacuum-sealing and mechanically seaming the form of can shown in Fig. 9.

In the drawings, A represents the frame of the machine; B, the vacuum chamber or receiver; C, a reciprocating disk or plate which supports the can, moves it within the receiver, and serves also as adoor or cover to close the open lower end of the receiver, and D is a reciprocating can-closing die, device, or seaming mechanism within the receiver, having an operating stem or shaft CZ, extending through a stufling-box B', with which the receiver is provided.

The vacuum chamber or receiver B connects with an exhaust mechanism E, preferably a double-acting vacuum-pump, through the exhaust-pipe F, a closed tank or reservoir G being interposed to equalize the action of the pump and serve as the exhaust mechanism should the pump be stopped temporarily. The exhaust-pipe F is furnished with a valve H, which is preferably a three-way valve, having ports L h2 7a3, so that the communication between the vacuum-chamber and \the exhaust mechanism may be closed and its communication with the air-inlet N/ opened, as desired or required. A rubber or elastic packing-ring b is interposed between the receiver B and the can-holding cover C of the receiver, said ring being preferably attached to the lower end of the receiver, which has a groove b2 to receive it.

The receiver closing or covering and can holding or supporting plate or disk C is automatically operated or reciprocated as required to close the receiver and deliver the can within the receiver and hold the plate or disk C in cooperative relation with the seaming mechanism D by means of a cam C on the cam-shaft K. operating a lever C2, connected by a link C5 with a lever Cf, which connects, through an adjustable link C5, with the stem C of the plate or cover C. The can closing or seaming die, mechanism, or device D is automatically operated or reciprocated as required by means of a cam D on the cam- 'shaft K, which engages a lever D2, pivotally connected to aslide D3, which reciprocates in suitable guides Di on the frame of the machine and to which slide the stem or shaft d of the can closing or seaming device or mechanism D is adjustably connected by the adjusting-screw Z2 and clamp or bearing (Z3, having bolts di. The adj usting-screw (Z2 slides through a guide-arm a on the frame, having a clamp d and bolts a2. The valve H is automatically operated as required to connect the vacuum-chamberwith the exhaust mechanism and to open the air communication to relieve the vacuum and permit the cover C to IOU IIS

separate from the receiver by means of the A by a bolt B1. The guide C7, in which the stem C of the can support or receiver closing-plate C reciprocates, or its bracket CS is adjustably secured to the frame A by a bolt C, and its position may be accurately adjusted by the adjusting-screw C. The turnbuckle C in the link C5 enables the can support or cover C to be accurately adjusted in respect to the receiver B.

N is a vaeuum-g'ag'e connected with the receiver to indicate the degree of vacuum produced in the receiver by the exhaust mechanism.

In operation the exhaust mechanism or pump E is continuously driven by its drivingpulley E and is constantly acting'. A can with its cover loosely in place thereon, as indicated in Fig. T, being' placed on the plate or disk C, the clutch-lever is moved, thus connecting' the cam-shaft l( with the driving-shaft and causing' the cam C and connecting' mechanism to move the can supporting' and receiver closing plate or disk C upward, closing the receiver and moving' or feeding the can within the receiver. The valve H is then turned by its operating-cam H, thus opening the communication between the constantly-acting' exhaust mechanism E and the receiver B and causing' the air to be exhausted from the receiver and from can and its contents throug'h the open mouth or end of the can. lVhile the can is thus in, wurm-in the receiver, the cam D, through the connecting mechanism, next operates the can-closing' die, device, or mechanism D and forcibly drives and compresses together the flanges on the can and cover and compressing the packing between the can and cover forms the mechanical seal or seam which rigidly and firmly locks and holds the cover on and to the can. After the mechanical sealing or seaming operation is thus completed the further movement of the cam-shaft K causes the cam H to close the exhaust-pipe and open the air-inlet N', thus restoring the atmospheric pressure to the receiver and permitting' the further movement of the camshaft to separate the can support or cover C from the receiver and withdraw the can therefrom, the can and its cover now being also sealed and secured together by the vucuum or atmospheric pressure seal due to the vacuum within the can and the atmospheric pressure without.

As illustrated in Figs. T and 8 of the drawor compression fit, thus firmly seaming and securing' together the can and cover and compressing' and holdingcompressed the packing' V, which is interposed between the can X and the cover Y. ,As in this construction of can the mechanical seal or seam is adapted to be formed by simply forcibly driving the cover home on the can, the seaming mechanism, die, or device D within the receiver, as indicated in the drawings, consists or may consist sim'- ply of a reciprocating seaming-die having' no independently-movable parts.

In Fig. 9 a different form o f cam is illustrated from that shown in Figs. T and 8, the same having the seaming-flanges of the can and cover united by a crimp or single seam, and the seaming mechanism D (shown in Fig. 10) for operation upon this form of can has in,- dependently-movable seaming or crimping rollers (Z5, and the stem or shaft d of the seaming mechanism is provided with a pulley for rotating' the same, this being a well-known form of seaming mechanism for seaming cans of the style illustrated in Fig. 9. This seaming mechanism or device D (shown in Fig. l0) has a sliding block d, splined to the seaminghead and rotating with it, furnished with springs Z7 and has ball-bearings [Is between it and the disk d, which bears against the can-head, so that when the seaming device D descends its non-rotating head or disk d will by sliding' the block d compress the springs (Z and throw the crimping-rolls (Z5 in against the outer flange of the can-head and turn the same inward and firmly compress together the seaming-flanges of the can head and body and form a seam.

By the use of either or each of the following' phrases seaming mechanism, seaming' device, means for seaming' together the flanges of the can and cover, means for seaming together into a sea-m the fianges of the can and cover we include and mean to include as one form thereof the die-seaming device or mechanism D, as shown in the principal form ofl our invention illustrated in Figs. l to 6 of the drawings and the particular construction of which is detailed in Fig. 4 ofthe drawings, and we desire it to be distinctly understood, as we have hereinbefore stated, that our invention is not limited to the use of the particular form of seaming' device or seaming mechanism illustrated in Fig. l0, but includes the form of seaming' device or seaming mechanism shown in Fig. a.

lVhile we are the first to combine together a receiver and a seaming mechanism inside the receiver and are the first and original inventors of this broad and g'eneric combination, we wish it to be distinctly understood that we do not claim to be the first to combine and use inside a receiver the particular form or kind of seaming mechanism shown in the R. A. Hall patent, No. 676,229, of June l1, 1901, and operating upon the edge of the fiange of the cover to bend the same underneath the shoulder on the can to form a joint between the two, such being the invention of said Hall.

We claim- 1. The combination with a vacuum-chamber or receiver having an open lower end of an exhaust mechanism, areciprocating can holding and receiver closing-plate for moving the can within the receiver and closing it, mechanism automatically operating said plate, an air-inlet, a valve for opening and closing' said air-inlet, and mechanism for automatically operating said valve, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with a vacuum-chamber or receiver having an open lower end of an exhaust mechanism, a reciprocating can holding and receiver closing-plate for moving the can within the receiver and closing it, mechanism automatically operating said plate, an air-inlet, a valve for opening and closing said air-inlet, and mechanism for automatically operating said valve, said valve operating mechanism serving to open said air-inlet and relieve the vacuum in the receiver before said lcan-holder plate-operating mechanism withdraws it from the receiver, substantially as specied.

3. rlhe combination with a vacuum-chamber or receiver, of' a reciprocating can holding and receiver closing-plate for moving the can within and closing the receiver, and automatic mechanism for operating said plate, substantially as specified.

a. The combination with a vacuum-chamber or receiver, of a reciprocating can holding and receiver closing-plate for moving the can within and closing the receiver', automatic mechanism for operating said plate, and a canseaming mechanism within the receiver for forming a mechanical seam between the fianges of the can and cover, and means for automatically operating said seaming mechanism, substantially as specified.

5. The combination with a receiver of' a can-seaming mechanism within the receiver for folding or compressing into a seam the flanges of' the can and cover, substantially as specified.'

6.- The combination with a receiver of a reciprocating can-holder for closing the receiver and supporting the can' therein, and a seaming device within the receiver, substantially as specified.

7. The combination with a receiver of a reciprocating can-holder and a movable seaming device within the receiver, substantially as specified.

8. The combination with areceiver of an exhaust mechanism, a reciprocating can-holder closing the receiver, and a can-closing mechanism within the receiver causing the flanges of can and cover to form a tight mechanical seam, substantially as specified.

9. The combination with a receiver having an open lower end of an exhaust mechanism, a reciprocating plate closing the receiver and moving the can within the receiver', a canseaming mechanism within the receiver, and a valve to open an air-inlet to the receiver, substantially as specified.

10. The combination with a receiver having an open lower end of' an exhaust mechanism, a reciprocating plate closing the receiver and moving the can within the receiver, a canseaming mechanism within the receiver,and a valve to open an air-inlet to the receiver, and means for automaticallyT opening said valve after the seaming operation is completed, substantially as specified.

11. The combination with a receiver having a grooved lower end furnished with a sealingring ofan exhaust mechanism, a reciprocating can-holder closing the receiver, and a canclosing mechanism within the receiver causing the flanges of can and cover to form a tight mechanical seam, substantially as specified.

12. The combination with a receiver of' an exhaust mechanism, a reciprocating can-holder closing the receiver, a seaming mechanism within the receiver, a valve for closing an airinlet to the receiver, means for operating the seaming mechanism and means for automatically opening the valve when the seaming operation is completed, substantially as specified.

13. The combination with a receiver having an open lower end of a reciprocating plate closing the receiver and supporting the can,

la sealing-ring between the receiver and said plate, and a seaming mechanism within the receiver, substantially as specified.

1li. The combination with a receiver or vacuum-chamber of an exhaust mechanism, reciprocating means for closing the receiver and moving the can within the receiver, and means for seaming together the fianges of' the can and cover within the receiver, substantially as specified.

15. The combination with a receiver having an open lower end of a reciprocating plate closing the receiver and supporting the can, an exhaust mechanism, a valve opening and closing an air-inlet to the receiver, a seaming device or mechanism within the receiver, and a cam-shaft having cams for automatically operating said plate, said can-seaming mechanism and said valve, substantially as specified.

16. The combination with a receiver having an open lower end of' a reciprocating plate closing the receiver and supporting the can, and means within the receiver for seaming together the flanges of' the can and cover, substantially as specified.

17. The combination with a receiver having an open lower end provided with a channel to receive a packing, a packing in said/channel, a reciprocating plate for closing the receiver and supporting the can within the receiver, substantially as specified.

IOO

IIO

1S. In a machine for vacuum-sealing and mechanically sealing sheet-metal cans, the combination with a receiver of' means f'or supporting the can within the receiver and means f'or seaming together into a seam the flanges of the can and cover within the receiver, substantially as specified.

19. In a machine for vacuum-sealing and mechanically sealing cans. the combination with a receiver having an open lower end, of' a reci procating can-carrier for moving the can within the receiver, and closing the receiver, a sealing-ring' between the receiver and cancarrier, and means for mechanically seaming together the ianges of the can and cover within the receiver, substantially as specified.

2f). The combination with a receiver of' an exhaust mechanism,a reciprocatingcan-holder closing the receiver, and a seaming mechanism within the receiver, substantially as specified.

il. The combination with a receiver ofl an exhaust mechanism, a plate closing the receiver and supporting' the can therein, and a seaming mechanism within the receiver, substantially as specified.

2L). The combination with a receiver ofl an exhaust mechanism, a reciprocating' plate f'or closing the receiver and supporting the can, means f'or operating said plate, a seaming mechanism within the receiver and means f`or operating' the seaming mechanism, substantially as specified.

23. '.lhe combination with a receiver of' an exhaust mechanism, a reciprocating plate for closing the receiver and supporting the can, means for operating said plate, a seaming' mechanism within the receiver, and means for operating the seaming mechanism, a valve for opening' an air-inlet to the receiver, and means for automatically operating said valve, substantially as specified.

The combination with a receiver or vacuum-chamber, of' a plate or door f'or closing the chamber, an exhaust mechanism, a canseaming mechanism within the receiver to f'old or compress into a seam the flanges ofl the can and cover, and means Vf'or opening an airinlet te the chamber after the seaming operation is completed and before the door or plate is opened, substantially as specified.

rlhe combination with a receiver of means within the receiver f'or seaming together into a seam the flanges of' the can and cover, substantially as specified.

26. The combination with a receiver ot' en exhaust mechanism and means within the receiver f'or seaming together into a seam the fianges of' the can and cover, substantially as specified.

Q7. The combination with a receiver of' means within the receiver for seaming' together the flanges otl the can and cover, means tor automatically opening and closing thereceiver and moving the cans therein, and means for automatically operating' the seaming mechanism, substantially as specified.

'28. The combination with a receiver B, of a seaming device D in the receiver, and provided with an independentlv-movable rotary seaming-roller fl, carried thereby and coperating' therewith` and a movable plate (i, and means for operating the same, substantially as specified.

Q9. The combination with a vacuum-chamberor receiver having an open lower end ot' an exhaust mechanism, a reciprocating can-holding and receiver-closing plate for moving the can within the receiver and closing it, mechanism for automatically operating said plate, an air-inlet, a valve for opening and closing said air-inlet, mechanism t'or automatically operating said valve, a reciprocating can-closing' device within the receiver. and mechanism f'or automatically operating said device, substantially as specified.

30. The combination with a vacuum-chamber or receiver having an open lower end ot' an exhaust mechanism, a reciprocating can holding and receiver closing-plate for moving the can within the receiver and closing it, mechanism automatically operating said plate, an air-inlet, a valve f'or opening' and closing said air-inlet, mechanism f'or automatically operating' said valve, said valve-operating' mechanism serving to open said air-inlet and relieve the vacuum in the receiver before said can-holder plate-operating' mechanism withdraws it from the receiver, a reciprocating can-closing device within the receiver, and mechanism f'or automatically operating said device, substantially as specified.

31. The combination with a vacuum-chamber or receiver, of' a reciprocating can holding' and receiver closing-plate for moving the can within and closing the receiver, automatic mechanism for operating said plate, a reciprocating can-closing device within the receiver, and mechanism f'or automatically operating said device, substantially as specified.

3Q. The combination with a vacuum-chamber or receiver, of a reciprocating` can holding and receiver closing-plate f'or moving the can within and closing the receiver, a reciprocating device within the receiver f'or f'orcing the cover on the can, means f'or automatically operating said can holding' and receiver closing-plate and said reciprocating device within the receiver to first close the receiver and then force the cover on the can, substantially as specified.

The combination with a vacuum-chamber or receiver, of' a reciprocating can holdingI and receiver closing-plate for moving the can within and closing the receiver, a reciprocating device within the receiver for forcing' the cover on the can, an exhaust mechanism, a valve controlling the communication between the receiver and exhaust mechanism,

and means for automatically operating said parts to first move the can within the recelver and close the receiver, then exhaust the air from the receiver and can and then force the cover on the can, substantially as specified.

34. The combination With a vacuum-chamber or receiver of a reciprocating can holding and receiver closing-plate for moving the can Within and closing the receiver, a reciprocating device Within the receiver' for forcing the cover on the can an exhaust mechanism, a valve controlling the communication between the receiver and the exhaust mechanism, means for operating said reciprocating can holding and receiver closing-plate, and 

